Cable connector



Jan. 16, 1951 H. D. STECHER CABLE CONNECTOR Fild Sept. 29, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HE/vR v D. STECHER ATT OR N5 VS Patented Jan. 16, 1951 CABLE CONNECTOR Henry D. Stecher, Lakewood, Ohio Application September29, 1948, Serial No. 51,698

Claims.

Thisinvention relates to cable connectors for securing armored cable to a perforate plate terminal box, pothead or the like and more particularly to effecting a mechanically-tight and fluidtight seal as well as an effective electrical ground between the cable armor and the plate, box, wall or body to which the cable is connected.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved cable connector to securely grip and hold a cable and particularly a cable of the armored type to a perforate terminal plate, box, pothead or similar structure, the latter being hereinafter generallyand collectively referred to as the terminal element. Another object of my invention is to provide a cable connector which in its preferred and modified forms can be readily attached or secured to a wide variety of instrumentalities such asperforate plates, conduit and terminal boxes or apertured bodies such as potheads and with respect to which will facilitate not only the water-tight seal for the exclusion of water from the interior of the boxes or bodies but will also retain insulating and sealing fluids within such boxes or bodies. A further object is to provide a connector capable of carrying out some or all of the other objects of 'my invention with respect to the wide range of kinds and sizes of armored cable. Another object of my invention is to provide a multi-part cable connector having a part which is adapted to grip an armored cable and thereafter to be assembled with the other parts, the operation of assembly serving to enhance the grip of the part upon the cable, to produce a fluidtight seal between the cable and the connector and also to provide an effective ground between the armor and the terminal element. It is also an object to provide such a connector which can be used with a cable to effect a fluid-tight seal as thereby. Another object is to provide a clamping member or means for gripping the armored portion of the cable along at least certain lines of contact of relatively high unit pressure whereby to assure not only a strong mechanical grip but also an effective electrical ground connection between the connector and terminal element. Another object is to provide a cable connector which is economical to make and which is easy and convenient to use and will be reliable and dependable for long and arduous service.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description of my invention, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of my cable connector together with an armored cable associated with a perforate plate which might also be the perforate wall of an outlet or terminal box or the like; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the cable gripping clamps; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the clamps of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a top plan view of the body part of the connector; Figure 6 is a side elevation of a cable wrapped with rubber tape in a manner adapting it for use with mycable connector, and Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly broken away in longitudinal section of a modified form of my invention adapted for use with a pothead or similar body.

A preferred form of cable connector made according'to my invention is illustrated for use with an armored cable C which is to be passed through a hole H in the terminal element L such as the wall of a conduit box. In using such cable, the armor is removed from the end of the cable exposing the insulating sheath or wrapper S so by merely first preparing the cable by winding appropriate turns of electricians rubber tape around the cable at about the point where the armor of the cable is cut off, and then assembling the cable and connector in a manner such that the turns of tape serve to seal the joint between the connector and the cable in the throat of the connector. A further object is 0 provide a cable connector having a part adapted to grip the end of an armored cable and having a part with a tapered seat or throat, the parts being assembled in a manner to draw the cable and especially the end of the cable armor onto the seat to effect a fluid-tight seal between the cable and the connector. Another object is to provide for visual inspection of the seating and sealing of the parts of the connector and the armored cable secured that the armor extends only up to about the point of entrance into the box with the separate conductors W of the cable passing into the box or at least beyond the wall or element L. At the point where the cable armor terminates the cable is preferably wrapped with a number of turns of ordinary electricians rubber tape T as shown in Figure 6 and in section in Figure 2. When the cable is secured by my connector, the wrapping of tape is compressed between the cable and the cable connector parts in a novel manner to form an effective fluid-tight seal. The parts of the connector are also adapted to coact so that the longitudinal motion of the connector parts during assembly materially enhances the mechanical grip and electrical contact of the connector on the cable while compressing the tape and creating the fluid-tight seal.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, my preferred form of cable connector comprises clamping means which is adapted to grip and hold the cable C at or near the severed end of the armor. The clamp is adapted to be assembled with a body sleeve member II which is secured in the hole H in the terminal element, the parts being assembled in a manner which draws the clamping means in a longitudinal direction to lie partially within the sleeve, and draws the cable through the sleeve with the leads W of the cable passing through the bore l3 of the sleeve into the box. The clamping means which is independently adjustable to grip the armor is further constricted upon the cable with additional force by coacting cam or relatively inclined surfaces on the clamp means and the sleeve. Before assembly with the cable connector, the cable is wrapped with the tape '1 adjacent the end of the armor in the manner mentioned :above. Assembly with the connector then brings the taped portion which overlies the sevcred end of the cable armor and the adjacent sheath to bear forcibly on or adjacent a conical seat or throat 14 in the bore of the sleeve. The tape, or yielding seal in whatever form is thus compressed in the throat of the connector between the seat and the end of the clamp, the cable armor and the sheath and acts as an effective barrier to the passage of fluid between the armor and the sheath andthe seat of the sleeve.

As shown in Figure 2 the body H comprises an externally threaded stem portion I6 which is-ada'pted to extend through the hole H of the terminal element L. The body also has a head portion ll which is somewhat larger than the hole H and which is adapted to lie flush against the external face of the wall L. The body member II is removably secured to the wall, preferably'by a nut 18 which-engages external threads [9 of the stem portion and which when drawn tight against the inner surface of the wall pulls the head ll tight against the outer face of the conduit box to grip the wall. In order to provide a seal between the body and the wall, a

gasket 2! may "be interposed between the head portion and the exterior surface of the wall as shown v and is compressed therebetween when the nut I8 is tightened to pull the head toward the wall.

The bore l3 'of the body H is cylindrical throughout the stem portion but at about the beginning of the head portionflaresoutwardly at an angle of about30 to form the tapered throat or seat 14, and then finally terminates in a slightly conical mouth portion which flares outwardlyat an angle of about 7. The-conical surface [4 comprises the essential camming surface mentioned above which acts to 'constrictithe clampingmeans l0 upon the armor and squeeze the sealing tape upon the cable and increase the force of the grip and security among the several parts.

The armored cable is .held directly by the clamping means Ill which is adapted to be clamped onto the cable armor with a positive grip. The clamping means l0 comprises an assembly of 'two similar semi-ring parts and 22, Fig. 3, each of which has an .arcuate length as initially formed somewhat less than 180 in extent but which whengripping a cable comprise a substantially annular clamp, the completeness of which depends on the size of cable being gripped; the arcuate length of the parts Zd-and 22 being proportioned withrespect'to thesmaller 4 diameter of the throat M to admit full and free constriction of the parts upon the smallest size armor that the connector is intended to secure. Each of the parts has chordal tabs or wings 23 extending outwardly from each end, the wings on the part preferably having threaded holes 24 and the wings of the part 22 having drilled holes 25. The two parts 20 and 22 are assembled by means of cap screws 26 which pass through and closely fit the holes 1 25 and th-rea'dedly engage the tapped holes 24 respectively. The parts,

as assembled in Figure 3, take the approximate form of a circle of substantially the same diameter as the largest cable with which they are intended to be used. The semi-ring parts preferably are formed or cast from resilient or yielding metal in order that they may accommodate themselves to cables of widely different diameters. When the clamp is clamped onto cables of large diameter they may open to arcs of lesser curvature and for cables of small diameter the ring parts are capable of curving and closing to arcs -of greater curvature. In use the clamps are assembled around the armor of the cable adjacent the end thereof and the screws .26 are tightened to draw the arcuate ring parts together. When the screws .26 are tightened, the clamping parts conform *to the cable in curvature and size and tend to grip it with substantial force. I prefer that the screws 26 have a nice fit in the holes '25 and in threads of the tapped holes 24 whereby to tend to hold the Wings square with the screws to flex the 'arcuate portions of the clamp parts when the screws :are tightened rather than flexing the wings .:relative to the arcuate parts.

The clamp parts-20 and 22 are givenadditional gripping means in the form of taperedskirt portions 28 which'extend below the wings 23'. When the partsare assembled the skirts aredrawniinto the mouth 20 of the body, and uponsuch assembly .are forced inwardly to slide over 'the tapered camming surfaces of the throat M which .force the skirts and parts to close upon'the cable and thus wedge thecable within the connector.

The parts 28 and 22 are preferably given longitudinal internal scallops 21 shown in end view in Figure 3. The scallops are preferably shallow though deep enough to enable the clamps more readily to adust themselves to cables .of varying size. The .longitudinaledges ofeachof the scallops also comprise biting edges which substantially enhance the grip of the clamps upon the armored cable and enhancelthe electrical :contact therebetween.

In order to secure the clamp means .to the sleeve :bodymember and thussecure the clamped cable to the terminal element, the ciampsare .provided with radially extending-centrally disposed lugs 29 having slots 39 through which .screws 3i are adapted to extendrtoengage threaded holes 32 in the head of the body H. When 'the screws 3! engage the head they not only secure the'cable to the body and thus .to the terminal element, but they also draw the clamp -.2El.22 and the cable longitudinally into the body producing the coacting cam action and grip mentioned above and compressing the seal T adjacent .the end of the armor against the throat l4 and the "unarmored cable.

The lugs 29 are equipped with radiall-y extending slots 30 rather than to circular holes to provide some play between the body and the clamps so th'atthe screws :31 can engagezthetapped holes 32 :regardless of the size of cable gripped. by the asaa'sos 1 clamps. Thus when the connector is used with relatively large cables,, the clamps will be. adjusted to a large diameter and the screws 3| will extend through the interior portion of the Slots-While for small cables the lugs will move inwardlywith the clamps and the screws 3| will extend through the exterior portion of the slots. The slots 39 thus enable use of my connector with a rather wide range of cable sizes.

In use the stem is is preferably inserted within the hole H of the element L and secured thereto by the nut is, the gasket 2| being compressed to seal the joint between the connector and the wall. The armor is stripped from the cable to exp osea convenient length of unarmored cable and the portion adjacent the end of the armor is wrapped with a number of turns of insulating lateral flange 40 through which a propriate] terposed between the flange 4i) and the periphery.

of the bottom wall of the pothead sealing the joint therebetween. When, as is not unusual,

the interior space 44 of the pothead is filled with fluid insulating material, the seals afforded by the tape T and the gasket 43 respectively prevent leaking of any of the fluid contents therefromo The stem portion i it of the connector has a plain tape, rubber or rubber-'like tape such as is found in-every electriclans kit, the turns of tape 'T overlying the end of the armor and a portion of the insulation sheath as shown in Figure 6. The cable is then inserted in the connector body until the tape contacts the seat I l. Preferably at this time and in this position the clamp means is is placed around the cable and in their loosely assembled position are inserted as far as possible within the body, the skirt portions 28 usually lyin partially within the sleeve of the body of the connector. The screws 26 are then tightened to draw the clamps tightly onto the armor, the seallops permitting the clamps to adjust themselves to the diameter of the particular cable being used and serving to bite into the armor. Then the screws 3! extending through the slots 33 of the clamps it! are tightened within the tapped holes 32 to secure the clamps to the sleeve and by this means to secure the cableto the. terminal element. As the screws 3! are tightened the clamps and the cable are drawn longitudinally within the sleeve and into the throat M. As this longitudinal movement of assembly progresses the seal and tape T and the taped and clamped portion of the cable is squeezed in the throat l4 and is compressed with increasing force. The screws 25, may also be tightened while the screws 3! are being tightened to augment final grip and connection. v

The head may be cut away as at 35 to form wide diametrically opposite notches in which the wings 23 of the clamping means may enter. With the provision of notches 35 greater longitudinal move ment is permitted relative to the compactness and neatness of assembly of the whole connector. Preferably I provide a small inspection hole 36 in the body below one of the notches 35 and above the tapered throat I 4 through which the coaction and disposition of the connected parts may be observed.

With but small modification of the externals of the body portion of my connector the same may be readily adapted to secure a cable and particularly an armored cable to a pothead P, as shown in Figure '7, and also to serve as a fluidtight closure for the bottom of the pothead. In this form of my invention the clamping means 2%] and 22 may be identical with those described above and the body ill may be substantially identical interiorly with the body ll described above, containing inter alia the tapered throat [4 for the same purposes and functions above described and for the same coaction with the seal or sealing tape T which may be employed in the same way and used to accomplish the same results as those above described. Externally the body ill of the connector is provided with a rather than threaded external surface "and the bore H3 is preferably flared as at 45 to merge with the adjacent interior surfaces of the pot head structure; the sheath S of the cable and. the conductors W pass through thebore and intothe pothead in substantially the same relation;

described above. In this form of my invention.

I prefer to preserve the inspection hole as in the same relation as that described above but not; there shown in section. In Fig. 7 there are also shown clamp bolts 3;! coacting with the lugs 29 performing the same or substantially the same: offices in the same way as above described. In

this modified form of my invention the armored. cable would be securely gripped for the reasons above mentioned, an effective ground connection. between the ground and the armor would be effected and the fluid seal between the cable and the connector would do the same work and get the same'results as above described; my connector here specifically serving the additional function of a fluid closure member fora fluid containing vessel in addition to excluding *the entry of external fluids into the vessel from external sources.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred and modified form of my invention and particular preferred constituent parts thereof, such for example as the tape T as a preferred sealing element, changes, modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art who come to understand and practice my invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof, and I do not care to be limited in the scopeand effect of my patent to the form herein specifically disclosed nor in any manner other than by the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A cable connector for securing an armored cable comprising a tubular body member, a converging conical surface in said body member, clamping means adapted to be independently adjusted to grip said cable, and means connected to said body and to said clamping means for drawing said clamping means toward and into said body member and into camming engagement with said converging conical surface whereby said clamping means is constricted by said surface to grip said cable with additional force.

2. The cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a split annulus adapted to substantially encircle said cable and screw means for constricting said annulus to grippingly engage said cable.

3. The cable connector according to claim 2 wherein said clamping means has a plurality of longitudinally extending inwardly facing scallops with interposed solid ridges having sharp edges for biting into said cable when said annulus is constricted thereon.

4. The cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a pair of arcuately shaped parts adapted to be secured toessence gather to substantially encircle and grip said 5; The connector according to claim 4' wherein said parts; have outstanding wings at their midportions; respectively and a pair of screws eachadapted: to extend through a wing of one part and threadedly engage said body member to draw said parts into said body.

6. The; cable connector according to claim- 1 Wherein'said, body member has an internal seat, andv compressible tape material wound about said cable: and disposed between saidcable and said seat, whereby said material is compressed between said cable, said seat, and said clamping means to form a water-tight seal when the clamping; means is drawn into said body member,

7. A: cable connector for securing an armored cable; relative to a hole in aawall of a conduit box or: the; like comprising a tubular body. part adapted" to-extend through said hole and to be removably secured to said Wall, a clamping part adaptedtobe constricted onto the cable to grip the cable independently, means for drawing thewherein, said clamping, part comprises a pair of substantially semi-circulararcuate parts adapted to, be secured together at their ends by screw means, and saidcam means comprises conically tapered surfaces: on said body-coactable with said arcuate parts.

9. A-cable connectorfor securing an-arrnored cable relative to a hole in a. wall and efiecting awater-tight seal comprising a tubular bodymember open at both ends and adapted to extend through said hole and to be removably securedtosaid wall, a conical seat in said body member, and-compressible material adapted to fit about said cable between said cable and said seat, clampingmeans adapted to grip said cable,

andmeans connected to said body and to said clamping meansfor drawingsaid clamping means toward the conical part of saidbody member whereby said material is compressed between said seat and said cable to-create a water-tight seal.

10. A cable connector for securing an armored cable within a hole in a wall of a conduit box or the like comprising a tubular body member having a threaded stem adapted to extend through said' hole and tobe secured thereto by a nut engaging said stem and having an enlarged head adapted to abut said wall, said body member having a cylindrical bore extending through thethreaded stemand flaring outwardly at a substantial angle to form a conical seat and finally terminating in a-mouth portion'flaring at a relatively slight angle, a clamp comprising a pair of substantiall identical arcuate parts having outwardly extending wings at each end, the parts being connected together at each end by ascrew extending through a hole in the wing of one of the par-ts'and threadedly engaging a tapped hole in thewing of the other part,-each of the parts having a slottedboss; and screws adapted to extend'through the slots of said bosses and engage threaded holes in said head to draw said clamp toward and into said body member and to removably secure-the same therein, whereby said clamp-is adapted to engage said mouth portion and said seat portion and'be circumferentially' constricted thereby to grip said cable with additiona1 force. 7 V v HENRY D. STECHER;

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing referencesare of record in the" file 0f=this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,211,417 Davis Jan. 19, 1917 2,092,343 Wayman Sept. 7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 121,407 Germany Aug. 14, 1900 

